“Much.” He flashes his dazzling smile my way and chuckles. “You should try it.”
I take his advice and dive underwater. That’s when I catch an up-close view of what hangs between his legs. Damn, it’s even bigger than I imagined. Long and thick. I shudder as I wonder how much I could fit between my lips.
When I rise back to the surface, I know I have to think of something to distract me. “So, Jarrod, uh, what do you like to do?”
“For fun?”
“Yeah.” I try to look casual while I secretly tame a stomach full of butterflies. “It seems like we only see each other coming and going back at the house. We haven’t really had a chance to talk.”
His eyes sweep across me as if he’s sizing me up. What did I say wrong? Was it the way I said it?
“I like soccer,” he says finally. “And pizza. And beer. I like working out. I have to do it more often these days, you know, on account of the pizza and beer.” He pats his insanely ripped stomach and laughs. “I guess that’s it. How ‘bout you?”
“I like reading. Haven’t had much time to read since school started.” Panic suddenly strikes as I worry he’ll ask what kind of books I read. My Kindle is full of porny titles, which will surely give me away. I quickly switch to a less loaded subject. “Oh, um, I like animals. That’s actually what I hope to pursue, a degree in veterinary medicine.”
“That’s pretty cool. Do you have any pets at home?”
“Nah.” I rub the back of my neck, thankful he didn’t probe my reading habits. “I’m allergic to pet dander.”
Jarrod raises his eyebrows, giving me that same frustratingly judgmental expression everyone gives when they find out about my allergy. When will I learn to just lie?
His perfect lips spread into that annoyingly smug grin he always wears. “Uh, Ian, buddy, you understand what veterinarians do, right?”
“Yes, of course. What can I say? It’s a curse. I love animals but my nose didn’t get the memo. My allergy is mild, really. Antihistamines help. And a vet’s office isn’t nearly as bad for allergies as you’d think. The exam tables are cleaned between every appointment, the floors are swept several times a day and mopped every night by the cleaning crew. It’s nothing at all like having pets in your home, where their dander gets into your rugs, your sofas, and all that. I did an internship this past summer at a vet’s office and it was awesome. What about you? What are you studying?”
He shrugs a meaty shoulder. “Haven’t decided yet. Something in business or finance. My dad owns a couple of tech companies. I always thought it would be cool to do the same, but I haven’t quite figured out my passion yet.”
That was unexpected. The brawny jock actually has goals. “Yeah, you’ve got time to figure it out,” I say.
“So, do you have a girlfriend?”
“Definitely not,” I answer too quickly.
“Why do you say it like that?”
“Oh, I mean... No reason.”
“Hey, I’m an open-minded guy. You can tell me if you’re gay.”
“Good to know.” I scan our surroundings, desperate to find a way out of this conversation. “Hey, looks like we’re losing daylight. Maybe we should get the tent set up before it’s dark.”
Jarrod nods, but doesn’t appear satisfied with my abrupt change of subject. Thankfully he starts swimming toward land without pressing me further. It takes every ounce of my willpower not to stare as he ascends from the water.
Maybe once we get back to our campsite, I can sneak off and give myself a quick one-handed salute. That should take some of the edge off all this tension I feel for my hot roommate.
CHAPTER 3
Life back at camp isn’t doing anything to calm my nerves. Instead of putting his clothes back on, Jarrod is strutting around in just his boxer shorts and shoes. Meanwhile I’m walking around soaked to the bone with my wet clothes uncomfortably clinging to my every move.
We take a quick selfie with my phone, part of our hourly duty to document our time in the woods. Jarrod leans in close to me for the shot. His bare shoulder presses against mine, and I hold back a needy sigh as I force a smile for the camera.
We make fast progress with the tent. It’s a basic pop-up model that supposedly takes less than 20 minutes to configure, according to the sleeve. Jarrod is deft at getting the rods connected. I offer very little help, occasionally pushing or pulling or holding something in place when he instructs me.
Our new abode is scant, but it will have to do. The roof is mostly mesh, offering plenty of airflow and ventilation. The interior is large enough to fit two adults, plus a little extra room for our bags, and not much else.
I check my phone. Still no signal, but at least I can check the time. It’s half past six. The sun is glowing through the trees, casting eerie shadows all around us.
Jarrod sits down on a nearby log, legs spread casually, and I catch a glimpse of his plump balls inside the leg opening of his boxers.